With the wave of your phone

It wasn’t long ago that the only ‘sensitive information’ our phone contained was a list of names and numbers, and maybe a few text messages. Back then our Nokia’s and the data they contained were protected by a simple four digit PIN.
A quick (and very unscientific) poll around the office tells me that most people’s phones are still protected by a simple four digit PIN. The difference is that they are now containing huge amounts of ‘sensitive information’, about not only the phones users, but, all their contacts to. This data can include; home and email addresses, photographs, personal and work diaries as well as a plethora of social apps such as Facebook and Tinder.

It would seem that the security of the phones has not progressed as fast as the functionality of the phones.

The new AirSig app might change this. Users program their phone to accept an ‘air signature’ as confirmation of their identity, and the command to open an apps. For example by signing ‘mail’ with your phone, as if with a pen, the app can detect your identity through the unique way you sign, and open the app. This prevents other people gaining access to your emails. The principle can be applied to multiple apps as well as unlocking your phone in the first instance.

The possibilities for this technology are endless. The developers of this technology have suggested it could be used in a range of smart devices, for example TV remotes. Personalised signatures with the remote would provide safe and restricted TV viewing for your children while your signatures unlocks channels outside the cartoon network!